Best Family SUV 2021: The verdict

The fourth-generation Toyota Kluger has just arrived, posing a major threat to the latest Hyundai Santa Fe, all-new Hyundai Palisade and the acclaimed new Kia Sorento, our 2020 Car of the Year. Throw in a long-time segment favourite, the Mazda CX-9, its narrower diesel CX-8 sibling, the sporty Skoda Kodiaq RS and Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace, and this is a family feud that’ll bruise egos as much as stroke them. After all, there can be only one winner…

That we had already whittled the field for carsales’ Best Family SUV 2021 down to eight strong contenders meant we were always expecting a close-fought competition.

And that’s how it has turned out, having put these accomplished large seven-seat AWD wagons through their paces and assessing them against more than 100 criteria split across five key areas: safety, technology, comfort and convenience, driving performance and ownership costs.

Such was the closeness of the contest that only a few points separated the highest score from the lowest.

But there is only one Best Family SUV for 2021. So let’s cut to the chase.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace Wolfsburg Edition 2.0T AWD offers an impressive driving experience even alongside much newer SUVs in this field, with great performance and an excellent balance between ride and handling.

While it covers off most expected safety features, the Volkswagen’s infotainment technology is lacking in areas such as wireless phone charging and digital radio.

Comfort and convenience features are a little sparse, and while it’s the most affordable model on test, ownership costs are among the highest.

How much does the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace Wolfsburg Edition 2.0T AWD cost?
Price: $59,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 162kW/350Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 9.0L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 205g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2016)

Once the benchmark in this segment, the 2021 Mazda CX-9 Azami AWD still presents a compelling argument with its accomplished performance and road manners as well as its comprehensive technology suite and reasonable ownership costs.

Beyond its strong showing in the above areas, and despite a recent update, the CX-9 lacks the safety and comfort and convenience features of more recent arrivals.

How much does the 2021 Mazda CX-9 Azami 2.5T AWD cost?
Price: $70,625 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 170kW/420Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 9.0L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 211g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2016)

The all-new 2021 Hyundai Palisade Highlander 2.2D AWD is an interesting option in this class, offering a roomy and highly appointed interior – despite the absence of a few expected features such as traffic sign recognition.

Ultimately, a lack of an independent crash testing (and with none forthcoming) and less-than-perfect performance and dynamics in this very capable company diminished the Palisade’s overall result.

How much does the 2021 Hyundai Palisade 2.2D Highlander AWD cost?
Price: $75,000 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 147kW/440Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.3L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 243g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested

Although it’s among the more economical SUVs on test, the 2021 Mazda CX-8 Asaki 2.2D AWD does not provide the overall rewarding driving experience that others here accomplish.

Yet the CX-8 achieves more promising scores when it comes to comfort and convenience features, and safety and ownership costs, despite its shorter service intervals.

How much does the 2021 Mazda CX-8 2.2D Asaki AWD cost?
Price: $66,790 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 140kW/450Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 6.0L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 158g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2018)

Having just entered a new generation, we might have expected the 2021 Toyota Kluger Hybrid Grande AWD to achieve a more impressive result, but the gains made are incremental rather than game-changing.

The Toyota scores very well for ownership costs, and better than average for safety.

In the areas of comfort and convenience, technology and driving performance, the Kluger does not put forward as compelling an argument – even when armed with an efficient new hybrid powertrain.

How much does the 2021 Toyota Kluger Hybrid Grande 2.5 AWD cost?
Price: $75,400 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol-electric hybrid
Output: 142kW/242Nm (184kW combined)
Transmission: Continuously variable automatic
Fuel: 5.6L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 128g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2021)

The 2021 Skoda Kodiaq RS is the most compelling SUV on the road among this short-listed field with its superb blend of performance, handling and ride, plus it has a particularly impressive suite of infotainment technology.

Only a sparse comfort and convenience features list and a not-much-better-than-average safety score pegged back the Skoda’s overall performance.

How much does the 2021 Skoda Kodiaq RS 2.0 TDI AWD cost?
Price: $68,890 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 167kW/500Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 6.2L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 164g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2017)

Delivering a strong result overall, the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Highlander 2.2D AWD ranked highest for technology and comfort and convenience features.

It was a close-run result, but its driving experience is not totally resolved, and its safety credentials and ownership costs are not class-leading, meaning it just misses out on s victory here.

How much does the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Highlander 2.2D AWD cost?
Price: $65,200 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 147kW/440Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 6.1L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 160g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2018)

The 2021 Kia Sorento GT-Line 2.2D AWD is brilliantly engineered and comprehensively stacked with equipment in all key departments, leaving remarkably few weak points.

Its centre front airbag, extensive driver assist suite and, of course, a five-star safety rating under the tough new 2020 ANCAP testing regime are compelling – notwithstanding the fact it lacks third-row curtain airbags.

For driving performance and technology, the Sorento is right behind the highest achievers in this category, and scored highly for comfort and convenience.

Blessed with the refinement, ride/handling and regalia to satisfy the most discerning seven-seat crossover customers, the Kia Sorento ticks more boxes than any of its competitors and that’s why it is carsales’ Best Family SUV for 2021.

How much does the 2021 Kia Sorento GT-Line 2.2D AWD cost?
Price: $64,070 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 147kW/440Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 6.1L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 159g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2020)